University of Dayton
Dayton, OH, USA

Reviews

University of Dayton

Jessica from Columbus, OH

a current student here
19 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
Classes are hands on, and in my opinion, experience is the best teacher.
Am enjoying being here
Everyone is extremely nice here. Upperclassmen are always willing to help out the younger kids. As I walked around the first few days looking lost, people always asked me if I needed help, I didn't even have to ask anyone. School Spirit is great, people love supporting UD sports.
Bang for the buck
This school is expensive, but don't let it scare you. You get an extremely high quality education and you will be well prepared for life after graduation. It really is an investment in your future.
Tips for prospective students
Dive in and get involved. Go to the meetings at the beginning of the year and find out which groups you like. Then you can continue going to the meetings of the few groups you like most. Don't be afraid to go!! There's free pizza at most of them :) Also, MEET YOUR ADVISOR. They are so so helpful and they can pull a lot of strings so get to know them right away.
Great for these types of students
Students who come from small schools and don't want to go to a huge school, students who value community and community service, and students who want to do big things with their lives.

Marci from Kettering, OH

a current student here
7 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
There are a few classes which are hard to understand, but if you're willing to stick with it, and willing to ask question, teachers do what they can to help. There are a lot of places around campus that can help too. Older students are willing to help teach you as well.
Am enjoying being here
I love everything about UD. I have lived right down the street from it all of my life and I always wanted to be a Flyer. Now that I have my chance, I wouldn't change anything about it. Everybody is so nice and always willing to help anyway possible. That's the nice thing about being a Marinist College. It doesn't matter if you know the person or not, you will always get a smile or a hi from somebody walking towards you if you make eye contact. I like 6 minutes from campus and I lived on campus my first year, and it's something that everyone should experience once in their life. Getting to know the people there was awesome.
Bang for the buck
Don't let that $40,000 a year price tag scare you. UD does everything they can to make school affordable. They help you find as much financial aid as possible and they usually give you a pretty good bundle of money.
Tips for prospective students
Make sure you try to stay on campus one night. And ask to either stay in Founders or Stewart. Both are older dorms on campus so they don't show you them during the tours. I lived in Founders and it is the oldest dorm, with the smallest rooms and no AC, but I loved every minute of it and wouldn't have had it any other way. Ask the kids questions, not just your tour guide. It's their job to tell you that everything is amazing, but the students will really tell you how it is. They aren't getting paid to tell you things that might not be 100% true. Also, meet with somebody who is in the program that you're interested in.
Great for these types of students
UD is a very welcoming community in itself. In the door buildings, you will NEVER walk down a hall and not be able to find one door open. It's def. a people person type of school. There are organizations for every student. There is every type of intramural sport that you can think of. As nerdy as it sounds, the library is a great place to meet people. Campus is small enough that you will almost always see a familiar face while walking around, but it's also big enough that you see a new face everyday. The classes aren't huge so most of the teachers will know everyone by name. It's just a great place all around!

Taylor from Naperville, IL

a current student here
6 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
UD is a beautiful and welcoming home away from home. Faculty is warm and inviting, upperclassmen are kind and welcoming, and there's a general spirit of inclusion on campus. You will be challenged academically but supported every step of the way with the many resources on campus, especially in the library or your professor's office.
Tips for prospective students
Be ready to learn to balance social and school life! As a whole, the UD community is good about encouraging your academic pursuits over social, but it is important to remember to prioritize your studying, even on the weekends.
Academic Rigor
I am challenged in every class I take, but support from professors and fellow classmates make it manageable.
Dorm Life
All UD housing is clean and hospitable. You can definitely make it feel like home, especially if you engage in your freshman year hall. I love Marycrest, where I live, and pretty much any freshman will tell you that their hall is the best. Plus, housing options only get better as you move through school. Pretty much everyone lives on campus all four years, because the housing options are so great. Most juniors and seniors live in really nice houses in the student neighborhood, which has a lovely community feel. Sophomores have options to live in campus apartments or dorms that are also really nice.
Food and Dining
Marycrest has great wraps and awesome workers. VWK has a ton of options so you never get bored. The Emporium (The Empo) is a great quick stop before classes. There's always fresh fruit and veggies. Plus, you can even use your meal plan for milkshakes at the Hangar in KU, the student union.
What to do for fun
Plenty of people go out for parties in the student neighborhood, nicknamed the ghetto on the weekends, so if you're looking for a fun party scene, that's available and open. I personally don't drink, and have found plenty of options to still have fun with my friends! The University puts on events on the weekend that are usually relevant and fun, plus CAB plans really sweet excursion events on top of their fun campus events for really cheap! Definitely get involved in something your freshman year for specific opportunities with friend groups to open up.
Bang for the buck
It's definitely an expensive school, but if you were a good student in high school, they are really liberal with financial aid. I personally got a really helpful scholarship and grant from the university itself. Plus, they lock you in for tuition all four years, which means that even if the university raises tuition costs for the incoming class, your tuition price will not change all four years. This is really nice because you can figure out exactly what you'll be paying all four years. If you go on an official visit on campus, they also give you a $500 book scholarship per semester just like that which is so helpful.
The quality of your degree and education is top notch, and they do a lot in the career center to encourage you to prepare for life past college even starting your freshman year.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
The ghetto, or student neighborhood is definitely a unique part of UD. It is literally an entire neighborhood of houses that just UD students live in, which is really awesome regardless of if you're into partying or not. St. Patrick's day is a huge day on campus that everyone gets really excited for, and is a ton of fun!
Great for these types of students
UD is great for students who are good at balancing social life and school. If you're looking to go to college solely to party, UD probably isn't the place for you. However, if you are looking for a school that has a general student population to whom it is important to excel in school as well as hang out on the weekends, UD is perfect.
Clubs and Activities
There are a ton of clubs and activities on campus that are really easy to get involved with. In the beginning of the year, UD has an up the orgs day where all the clubs and activities on campus set up a booth in front of our student union. On that day, you can sign up for email lists and get a ton of information about different clubs that interest you. Plus, people are always handing out free stuff on that day! There is NO shortage of opportunities to get involved at UD.
Greek Life
It is present, but not essential! People definitely do it and love it, but you don't have to be involved to have a social life.
Campus Safety
I have never felt unsafe on campus. Public safety sends out alerts if anything is worrisome, and you can call a number for campus police to address any issue or incident you might have.

Sarah from Anna, OH

a current student here
4 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
The professors here are very helpful and most of them just like to have a good time teaching the class. I find it best if you get to know your professors so that they can learn your name and if you are having trouble in the class they will do what they can to help you. No professor wants to fail a student if they are willing to try.
Am enjoying being here
I love the atmosphere here! It's basically in the middle of the city but you would never know it because of all the wonderful landscaping that just gives it more of a at home feeling even though the main street of restaurants (brown street) is really just a short walk from the dorms! I also love how everyone here cares about other students and it just feels like there is a great sense of community and that you could walk up to anyone on campus and they would be willing to help you out. There are so many activities and things to do on campus that I don't know why you would ever want to leave. If you decide to come to the University of Dayton I would definitely recommend joining any organizations that seem interesting to you on Up the Orgs day and to do an inter mural sport if you feel like you have time for it because it is definitely a lot of fun really getting into a game with the other people from your floor. Overall UD is a very welcoming and fun place to live where it is basically impossible not to get along with everyone around you and to make some amazing friends in the process.
Bang for the buck
I know a lot of you may be looking at the cost of attending the University of Dayton and feeling as if you may not be able to afford it or that it really might not be worth your money. But at UD they offer a tiered scholarship system that allows anyone that attends the University of Dayton to receive at least some scholarship money. And after receiving your scholarship most people don't end up paying near as much as the sticker price of tuition. Even though you might end up spending a little bit more than if you were to attend a Community College or a State College I feel that, from experience, UD has a lot more bang for your buck. I've attended both a state and a community college and I want to let you know that UD has a lot more to offer in the way of activities, organizations, and a much greater sense of community than any other college that I have ever attended.
Tips for prospective students
If you plan on going to the University of Dayton I recommend getting your application in early so that you can get back a response quickly and know that you have been accepted early and what kind of financial aid you will be receiving if you do decide to attend.
Great for these types of students
The University of Dayton is a great school for students who don't want to get lost in the crowd of a large school and would like to have a personal connection with their professors and classmates. It's also a great school for students who would like to live in an atmosphere where community is a large part of the UD experience and you can turn to just about anyone if you're having trouble with any of your subjects or you just want to hang out.

Kelsey from Vernon Hills, IL

a current student here
4 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
The professors are excellent and helped me learn a lot in their classes.
Am enjoying being here
It is a great place to be. Everyone is so happy and gets along. We all help each other when we need it, even if they don't know you.
Bang for the buck
It is a wonderful university and it shows with how successful all of the graduated students are.
Tips for prospective students
Study hard, get involved, and go to all the games.
Great for these types of students
This university is a great school for all different types of students. I met many different people at school, which is great. But if you are good at basketball, we are known for our basketball team.

Marie from Bellbrook, OH

a current student here
3 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
UD is one of the best decisions that I have made in my life. I get a well-rounded education that teaches the material as well as how to think critically about current events and challenges me to form my own opinion after looking at all sides of a story. Along with amazing academics, I have also met my best friends here; friends that I know I will have for a lifetime.
Academic Rigor
Obviously the level of academic rigor depends on your major. Being a business student I can say that I have had my fair share of difficult courses. However, this should not scare anyone away. The professors are always there to help you; believe it or not, they really do want you to succeed! The education that you gain from UD will last long past your final exam.
Dorm Life
No matter where you life, especially freshman year, you will LOVE IT!! Although people typically come into school with an idea of which of the three freshman dorms is the best, you're opinion may quickly change. Even my junior year I still hear people arguing over which dorm was the best; Marycrest for the food hall and spacious rooms, Founders for the convenient location to everything on campus, or Stuart for the friends that you make when you don't want to walk down the hill in the winter time. Regardless, all of the dorms are well suited for any student. The rooms are updated with all of the necessary appliances available (i.e. microwave, mini fridge). Everyone in your hall or wing is very friendly. Most of the time, people end up rooming with those who lived in the same wing as them.
Food and Dining
There's a reason UD is nationally ranked for healthy students; the food here is healthy! While there are options to indulge in (chicken fingers, the best french fries in the state of Ohio, and who can forget the legendary Marycrest Monster Cookie?!), there are also many healthy options that are delicious as well. If you go up the hill to VWK, you will think that you're traveling around the world. They offer your traditional meals such as subs, salads, and soup, as well as a Mongolian grill, a burrito stand, and a sushi bar. With several different options to satisfy whatever craving you would like, UD is the place to be when it comes to dining services.
What to do for fun
There are a lot of things to do for fun all around campus! If you don't have a car, you can hit up Kennedy Union for some bowling, billiards, or ice cream at the Galley. On most weekends KU also plays newly released movies in the theater there. If you're looking to break a sweat, head on over to the RecPlex for a workout or to play a game of pickup basketball or racquetball with your friends. It's also a great idea to get some people and start an intramural team. You can play everything from flag football, to basketball, to floor hockey, to volleyball! The RecPlex also offers group fitness classes that are a blast! If you would like to venture off campus, an outdoor shopping center, The Greene, is just a 10 or 15 minute drive away. There you can shop, eat dinner, see a movie, or see the giant Christmas tree in the winter or fountain in the warmer months. There are also many opportunities for fun downtown as well. The Oregon District is a fun place to go on a nice afternoon. There are restaurants and shops, most of which are vintage, to explore. Down the street from the Oregon District is Riverscape Metropark. This is a beautiful place to ride bikes or walk when it's warmer. In the winter there is also an outdoor skating rink. If none of those sound appealing, hanging out with friends is always a great option! On nice days you will see upperclassmen sitting on their porches with their friends laughing and having a great time.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
Every year on December 8th all of the classes are cancelled for Christmas On Campus. Elementary school students from around the Dayton area are brought to campus to celebrate Christmas. UD students have the option to adopt a child for the night and take them around to rooms, each with a different activity. The kids can play games in the rec, craft in humanities, or go see Santa in KU. The university even brings in camels and reindeer for this event! Campus is completely decorated with carols that you are able to hear no matter where you are; it truly is the most wonderful time of the year. This is a very special event because not only is it fun for both UD and younger students, but it gives less fortunate kids a Christmas that their parents may not be able to provide for them.
Clubs and Activities
There are many clubs and activities offered to students.
Greek Life
Greek life is a big aspect at UD. However, that being said, you do not by any means have to go greek to have a strong group of friends. While there are a lot of people in greek life, it does not majorly affect your social life. I am involved in greek life and currently life with three people who are not affiliated with greek life, and two that are in a different sorority than me. Unlike some schools where greek life is huge, all of the greek organizations get along with each other. Greek life is what you want to make it; it can be a huge aspect of your life, a small aspect, or not an aspect at all.
Campus Safety
This campus is EXTREMELY safe.

Dylan from Indiana

a current student here
3 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
Beautiful campus with a lot of trees and greenery. Classes are really centered around learning. It's all about community!
Tips for prospective students
Get a single room your freshman year! It isn't that much
more expensive! Also, make sure you make friends during orientation!
Academic Rigor
Classes are respectably hard while still being reasonable. I have had good professors and bad professors but I think that's the case at any school. My bad professors have all been in relatively unimportant gen ed classes.
Dorm Life
Even the less-desired dorms are really nice. A/C could be better, but it isn't a big problem. They're all recently renovated. Every floor has a great bathroom, a nice lounge, and a drinking fountain. The walls are a little thin, but it isn't too bad.
Food and Dining
Plenty of choices. Even a Qdoba type place and a sushi bar. Sometimes the less popular dishes sit out for a while and get dry but the majority of the food is great.
What to do for fun
Plenty of intramurals and great parties in the ghetto. There are more clubs than I could possibly count. There's definitely something for everyone! It's also within about 20 minutes of 2 or 3 different upscale areas, with great shopping, food, and recreation. Perfect location! Urban area on one side, upscale suburban area on the other.
Bang for the buck
It's definitely pricey, however they give out a lot of scholarship money and it is definitely worth it for the community and the education.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
Community. Community. Community. It's seriously a huge deal here. There is nothing that they focus on more than community.
Great for these types of students
Outgoing, fun-loving, and everything else. There really is something for everyone here. However there is definitely more for students who are more outgoing and social.
Clubs and Activities
There are so many clubs for students here. It's ridiculous. Everything from quidditch to flag football to anything else you can think of. And if there isn't a club for what you want, you can make one!
Greek Life
Greek life isn't huge, however if you're part of it it's great. Not too exclusive at all. Greeks and non-greeks get along well.
Campus Safety
Extremely safe. We have a good sized university police department on patrol 24/7. The university is just outside of downtown, right on the edge of a really nice suburban area.

Morgan from Cincinnati, OH

a current student here
3 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
ud is the perfect school for a home away from home! academically, they have tons of programs and more classes than you can imagine with amazing professors. student life is so fun every night whether staying in with your floor mates, going out to the student neighborhood, or heading to brown street for the evening!
Tips for prospective students
you have to do your work. most professors are understanding of sick days and emergencies, but you can't slack off all the time or your grades will definitely reflect that. if you work hard and do the work early it gets done a lot easier than if you wait until the last minute!
Academic Rigor
i'll admit, some classes are difficult. there's lots of homework every night, but it's also not hard to succeed if you put in the effort. there are plenty of opportunities in every class for extra help!
Dorm Life
i absolutely love my residence hall. although it's annoying to have to wear shoes to the shower, and take a basket with all your hygiene products, you get used to it quick! everyone is considerate and it's just like living with a bunch of friends!
Food and Dining
the dining halls are amazing. the workers are the sweetest people too! kennedy union has the best breakfast potatoes and the all new vwk has chipotle style and mongolian grill, not to mention a bakery! the food off campus is also wonderful, and many restaurants accept our flyer express cards for payment.
What to do for fun
heading to the ghetto (student neighborhood) is always a good time, but there's also lots of other places within walking distance. tim's is a local bar that is sort of a dance club on thursday nights. all of the upperclassmen are welcoming and everyone just invites everyone to do stuff!
Bang for the buck
i won't lie, ud is expensive. it's a private school and has many benefits that you're paying for. but in four years when i have to start paying off my students loans i'll look back and know that it was worth every penny!
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
the ghetto-- our student neighborhood is unlike any other. tons of houses have parties every night and love freshmen to be there! people who have parties are never exclusive and never make anyone pay for coming or having any of their 'party supplies.' the other extremely special tradition we have is christmas on campus. every year on the day of feast of the immaculate conception the campus sets up all these different christmas activities, seriously hundreds of different things, from reindeer to gingerbread houses to train rides. you sign up to have a kid (from the local elementary schools) and you get them a small christmas gift. then you get to walk them around all night and spend time with them!
Great for these types of students
people who love a family community feeling, without feeling like every single person knows every single thing about you. ud is so welcoming to everyone and i've truly met the best people here!
Clubs and Activities
there are tons of things to get involved in here. intramural sports are really popular and we even have club sports if you're looking for something more serious but not college varsity level. there's also a million service clubs and even just opportunities to get involved without having to join a group!
Greek Life
sororities and frats aren't huge here at dayton. we have them and there are a few sorority/fraternity houses but for the most part they're not that serious. rush is in the late winter/spring and i have many friends who are in them! they're not totally exclusive or seclusive so you can still be involved in tons of other activities!
Campus Safety
the campus is always lit up, i never have felt unsafe. although there are some bad areas outside of campus, i'm never worried about my safety. i almost always go out at night with other people and don't go to unfamiliar places if i'm not comfortable.

Christian from Homewood, AL

a current student here
3 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
You have a great selection of courses and teachers. Although experiences may differ depending on the instructor, the courses you enroll in will be sure to keep your attention if you actually are interested in the subject matter.
Am enjoying being here
This place is simply amazing. I love the community and the campus is wonderful. The classic televised scene of older students harassing the younger students is not an issue here. The university has established a great sense of family among its students and faculty. Nobody hesitates to help one another.
Bang for the buck
At $40,000 a year, the university is anything but cheap. On the other hand, what you get out of it will reflect what you put in. Opportunities are presented to you everywhere you go. For the money you're paying you will be given plenty of chances to excel and separate yourself from students at other institutions.
Tips for prospective students
Students interested in anything outside of going to basic classes, which is a great majority, should not miss Up the Orgs. This event introduces new and old students to the many organizations that are on campus. Each offer different agendas and cater to a different crowd that should help everyone looking for something feel welcome. Do not skip class. Contrary to popular belief, it is not cool. It is a waste of your or your parents money. Besides, you are here to get an education, not sleep. There's plenty of time for sleep between and after classes.
Great for these types of students
This university is fit to fulfill the desires of any diverse group of students. The school is also not to small nor to large so you aren't treated as another statistic for the catalog. I am a business major who played high school basketball and now play intramural in a competitive league. Our team actually qualified for a tournament in North Carolina. I also played in the band. Now I am a member of the University Jazz Band as well as the Symphonic Wind Ensemble and Brass Quartet. The school has such a variety of majors, minors, and extra-curricular activities that it is capable of being home to many students regardless of their interests.

Heidi from Botkins, OH

a current student here
3 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
Even in the classes that I had to take to fill basic requirements, my eyes were opened to the world around me. Because of these classes, I feel like my education has grown exponentially.
Am enjoying being here
I have made so many friends at UD! Everyone I meet is friendly and cares about others.
Bang for the buck
UD is a private school, so you have to be ready to dish out some money to go here. However, you will receive a quality education and will make memories that will last you a lifetime.
Tips for prospective students
Visit. Come to Dayton and see what campus is like on an everyday basis and learn about us. We would love to have you!
Great for these types of students
I love UD because I wanted a smaller school where the professors would know me by name. Also good for students who want to be near an urban area, but not necessarily living downtown. And most importantly, UD has a sense of community that you will find nowhere else.